URBANA, Ill. – Behind strong performances at the plate from sophomore Stephanie Abello and Annie Fleming and from senior Breanna Wonderly in the circle, the Fighting Illini softball team earned their fifth-straight win in a 7-1 decision over Bradley on a cold Wednesday (March 22) night at Eichelberger Field.
"We had a good team effort in tonight's win against Bradley," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Stephanie Abello is really starting to come into her own at the plate. She is transitioning from a top high school hitter into a savvy, mature college threat right before our eyes. I am also especially proud of Erin Walker stepping up to finish the game."
Abello registered a career-high three hits with a 3-for-3 performance plus a run on the night, while Fleming had two hits, two runs and three RBI.
Wonderly (7-7) started and went five innings to earn the win, allowing just one earned run on three hits and one walk and struck out four in the outing. Junior Erin Walker entered in the sixth and pitched two hitless frames, while striking out two.
The Illini (19-8) got the offense going early, taking advantage of two Bradley (15-14) throwing errors as well as a Fleming RBI single down the right field line, an Abello double to centerfield and a RBI sacrifice fly from junior Leigh Farina to build a 4-0 lead in the first.
A two-run home run from Fleming – her fourth of the season – in the second and an RBI sacrifice fly from senior Ruby Rivera in the third pushed the advantage to 7-0.
The Braves broke up the shutout with a solo home run to lead off the fourth, but Walker then slammed the door shut with two hitless frames to finish off the win.
As a team, the Illini totaled six hits and two errors, while the Braves tallied three hits and three errors on the night.
Illinois will look to continue its winning streak this weekend in Iowa City, Iowa as the Illini travel to face Iowa in their Big Ten Conference opener at the Bob Pearl Softball Field. The Illini open the three-game series on Friday (March 24) at 5:30 p.m. CT, followed by a 1 p.m. game on Saturday (March 25) and the series finale on Sunday (March 26) at noon.
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